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Saturday, August 13, 2016

Well, I can’t claim Summer of 2016 has flown by,
but the pace has proven perfectly pleasant. The passage of time only
feels slow when I consider how long it’s been since the GDB wheels have turned down unknown roads.

This is my first summer home in 4 years and I’m kinda digging
it! And for all the reasons I suspected I would (see previous post re:
tomatoes).

While the swampy summer weather has been expectedly and truly
horrific, time spent on the front row couch at the Olympics and Tour de France has
provided pure and decadent indulgence. A
daily super-sized bag of CheetosTM would have really been icing on
the cake (sorry for the disgusting metaphor), but the hostile weather conditions
and subsequent inability to hike AT ALL have forced me to cut back on the
intake. Sigh.

But we’ve completely enjoyed all the luscious fruits and
vegetables of summer. Including our cute
little jalapeno plant. See - even the pepper plants are sweating!

The best part of a summer at home has been - no contest - watching
John adapt to retirement. Which took about 20 minutes. We figure he’s doing it
right as he rarely knows what day it is without consulting a calendar. His
usual response to a pop quiz: Hmm … I
know it ends in D-A-Y.

The days are mainly filled by catering to Doris’ every desire, doing something artsy every afternoon, and keeping up with a hefty teaching load.

Perry versus Doris

Currently, our sleepy summer
college town is awaking from hibernation as classes start next week. Another sure sign summer is winding down: the
sounds of the Auburn University marching band practice.

I leave for the Great Lakes in about 3 weeks and have
completed my usual trip planning. That is, I’ve made a list of National Park
sites.

The rest of the planning happens as I go. And I love it that way! Trip prep amounts to downloading an abundance of books and music, packing the van with some edibles and wearables, and
placing the key in the ignition.

Here’s the highlight list for the Great Great Lakes
Journey, in no particular order.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Isle Royale National Park

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Voyageurs National Park

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Aviation Heritage National Historic Park

With all that, the prospect of temperatures compatible with human life is the biggest attraction of all. Note: as I write this, it’s a lovely 73 degrees. In International Falls, MN.

BTW, I appreciate suggestions regarding what to
see along the way through TN, KY, IL, WI, MN, MI, and IN.